Scotland vs Samoa, Rugby World Cup 2019 LIVE: Result and reaction from today's fixture in Kobe
Relive Scotland’s latest Rugby World Cup 2019 fixture
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Scotland revived their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 34-0 victory over Samoa on Monday, scoring four tries in a much-improved performance to secure a bonus point that could prove crucial in a tight Pool A.
Japan's stunning upset of Ireland on Saturday shattered the expected permutations of the pool and the Scots knew they needed to get a big win on the board after their dismal defeat to the Irish in their opener.
Winger Sean Maitland and scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw scored converted tries with Stuart Hogg landing a 40-metre drop goal in the first half, while two penalty tries after the break secured the all-important extra point.
Match preview
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage will be shown on ITV and the ITV Hub online at 7:25am.
When is the match?
Scotland vs Samoa takes place on Monday 30 September at the Kobe Misaki Stdium.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 7:15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 11:15am BST.
Odds
- Scotland to win: 1/6
- Samoa to win: 13/2
- Draw: 50/1
Prediction
Scotland 25-20 Samoa: Scotland should deliver something of a response to last week’s shocker against Ireland, and the nine days’ rest will have helped compared to Samoa’s week-turnaround. However, results between these two sides tend to be tight, and on the grand occasion of a World Cup clash, this should be no different.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Scotland vs Samoa in the Rugby World Cup.
A fantastic (extended) weekend of rugby is nearly at a close, but we've a tasty little morsel to see us off into the week, with Scotland looking to get their World Cup campaign back on track against a dangerous Samoan side in Kobe.
Scotland know they cannot afford a slip-up after Japan's stunning victory over Ireland, and simply have to win against the Pacific Islanders today.
TEAM NEWS - Scotland
Scotland have made five changes to the side beaten by Ireland, with an all-new back row named by Gregor Townsend. The Scots lost flanker Hamish Watson and Ali Price to tournament ending injuries in that defeat, and Magnus Bradbury - replacement for Watson in the 31-man squad - comes straight into the starting side.
Flying Darcy Graham is in on the wing, excitingly, while Chris Harris takes over from Duncan Taylor at outside centre.
TEAM NEWS - Samoa
Samoa's victory over Russia came at a cost, with hooker Motu Matu'u and centre Rey Lee-Lo out for the remainder of the group stages after picking up three-match bans for high tackles. Booming ball-carrier Afa Amosa will miss the rest of the tournament, too, after the number eight suffered a serious knee injury in the win.
It remains a dangerous Samoa team, however, with captain Jack Lam back into the side at the back of what is a monstrous forward pack, and Tim Nanai-Williams will provide plenty of razzle-dazzle and free-running threat from full-back.
One to watch...
Kane Le'aupepe is a rather big, rather angry man. The second row is a hulking figure in attack and defence, and has come on hugely in the last few months after rather being forced into duties at the injury-struck Hurricanes of Super Rugby. Le'aupepe filled a void for the Wellington-based side, adding some grunt and nasty to a team lacking an enforcer, and has pushed his way into this Samoan team.
That has enabled Chris Vui to shift to blindside, which gives Samoa three second-rows with ability at the lineout and in the loose. Scotland are a team lacking in collision-winners, and if Samoa are to win today then their big tacklers and big carriers will have to dominate the tight, something Le'aupepe is quite capable of doing.
A dancer named Darcy
Darcy Graham is one of the most fun young rugby players to watch at the moment. With devastating ability in the open field honed by a stint on the sevens circuit, the Edinburgh flyer has fast feet, deceptive power and real knowledge of how to manufacture space in tighter confines. His sevens stint developed his basics well and rounded his skillset, and Graham is a canny operator in defence, with the ability to pounce at the breakdown in typically quick fashion.
He's in to the side today for Tommy Seymour, with the experienced wing a casualty of that defeat to Ireland, but Graham is very much a coming force, and one coming at, of course, real speed. Watch for his fluttering flamenco footwork to cause Samoa serious trouble at some point during the course of the game.
Some head-to-head stats to set the scene!
- Scotland and Samoa have met on three previous occasions at the Rugby World Cup, with the Scots winning all three encounters.
- These teams have previously met in 11 test encounters, with Scotland winning nine and Samoa one, with the other game drawn.
- Their first meeting was at the Rugby World Cup 1991, that Scotland helped host. Scotland triumphed 28-6 at Murrayfield, with Gavin Hastings contributing 16 points.
- They last met in the 2017 Autumn Internationals, with Scotland winning 44-38 at Murrayfield. Tim Nanai Williams led the visitors with 18 points, while Finn Russell earned 13 for the hosts.
- Their last RWC meeting was at RWC 2015. In Newcastle four years ago, Greig Laidlaw posted 26 of Scotland's 36 points in that match.
- Scotland have won all 20 encounters with non-Tier 1 opposition at the Rugby World Cup and have the best track record of facing teams from a lower division.
Despite Scotland's superior record in their recent meetings, it's been a close-run affair. One to bear in mind for today, with Gregor Townsend's men no doubt vulnerable from that crushing loss at the hands of rivals Ireland.
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